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Playfully pulling the edge of her bottom lip between her teeth, she fluttered her eyelashes at him.
Jensen left out a husky groan and bent to capture her lips again. His phone rang, and she felt it vibrate against her hip. He muttered an oath that made her smile. He didn’t want to be interrupted any more than she did.
“Excuse me,” he murmured.
She nodded.
Releasing one of his arms from her back, he looked at his phone, silenced the ringer, and grunted, “Ray.” His eyes grew hungry and full of her, and he wrapped her up tight again. “Ray can wait a minute.”
She laughed, a happy peal of laughter that she felt clear through. The general of all of Augustine could wait. Jensen’s kiss couldn’t.
He bent to her, and every dream and hope filled her body and soul as his lips captured hers again. The music of their unique connection filled her being.
A loud rap sounded on the door behind them.
He startled and straightened, releasing her. Easing to the door, he cracked it open. “Yes?”
“Sir.” It was Lieutenant Yost’s voice. “General Raymond said you didn’t answer your phone, and he needs to speak with you.”
That was quick. Maybe she’d been too engrossed in Jensen’s enthralling kiss, but she could’ve sworn Ray had called seconds ago.
“Thank you.” Jensen shut the door and turned to Livvy. His gaze filled her with longing to be in his arms again. “I guess Ray can’t wait a minute.” He pushed his hand through his short hair. “I’ve got to go. You’ll be all right?”
“With you watching over me, I will.” She smiled at him. “Come for me when you can?”
Jensen’s chest heaved with his quick breaths. “Livvy. Ah, Livvy.” His gaze suddenly changed. It looked … tortured.
Ah, no. What was wrong?
“Livvy. I have to protect you and find Rindlesbacher. I can’t let my guard down, not with Treven roaming free. I have to finish him. It’s personal, and I have a duty to the people of Augustine.” He raked a hand through his hair and then gestured to her. “I can’t be like this with you.”
“Pardon me?” Livvy went from the highest high to an unimaginable low within moments. “Can’t be like what with me?”
He only shook his head. “Get some rest. I’ll figure everything out. You’re safe.” With those words, he hurried through the door and closed it behind him as if she’d grab him and snatch him away from his important duties.
Livvy wanted to fling the door back open, give him a piece of her mind, and then kiss him all over again. She heard his voice and then his footsteps descending the stairs.
She was safe with Jensen, but he couldn’t ‘be like this with her’?
Had he not felt their insane connection? If he had, nothing and no one could interrupt them, save a bomb exploding in the house or Treven’s mercenaries opening fire.
Livvy leaned against the wall, weak and devastated. She’d thought she and Jensen were creating the most beautiful music in the world. He obviously didn’t agree. He’d returned her kiss, but she’d initiated it. He’d obviously enjoyed it, but it must not have meant as much to him. He couldn’t have felt the connection she felt and walked away.
Duty came first.
Chapter Twelve
Jensen rushed out of Livvy’s room, feeling the most awful letdown of his life. What could Ray need that was more important than him kissing Livvy again?
Yet Ray’s call and Lieutenant Yost’s interruption had been sorely needed. He’d ignored Ray’s phone call. In the middle of the night and with a desperate criminal after Livvy on the loose. The criminal he had to catch. The most important catch of his life.
It was personal and professional with Treven. That man and his family had taken a lot from Jensen and his country. He owed it to everyone to be at his top performance and not get distracted.
He’d been distracted a few minutes ago. He never ignored his phone. Livvy’s kiss had taken him to another sphere, a beautiful and consuming connection he’d never experienced before. She’d been all that mattered in that moment, all that he’d ever need. She consumed him, body and soul.
He wanted Livvy in his heart and his arms, but he had to focus. Too many people, including Livvy, needed him at his best. If he let himself be consumed by his feelings for her, he would make mistakes. The Rindlesbachers were despicable, but they were also very smart, had beaten him before, and were not to be underestimated.
Someday he could focus on Livvy. Hopefully, someday very soon. The timing simply wasn’t right. After Treven and Naomi were caught, when he knew she was safe and choosing him not because of the safety he represented but the man he was and the fact that she was the only woman for him…
